Pier must be saved

Published: 8:29 AM January 19, 2009

Updated: 9:34 PM October 10, 2020

THE end of Claremont Pier is a very sad sight and needs restoring.If funding isn't soon found it will just collapse in the sea and I am sure the people of Lowestoft wouldn't want to see this happen.

THE end of Claremont Pier is a very sad sight and needs restoring.

If funding isn't soon found it will just collapse in the sea and I am sure the people of Lowestoft wouldn't want to see this happen. Seaside piers are part of our heritage and what we have left which is just over 50 should be saved.

The other piers in Suffolk and Norfolk are all well looked after. The Wellington in Great Yarmouth has just been restored and Southwold in the past which in 2008 came third in the National Piers Society's best Pier Awards voted by its members, Cromer was second and Deal first.

If you would like to support them you can join The National Piers Society which was founded in 1979 under Sir John Betjeman when some of the finest piers were threatened with demolition. Over the years the society has grown steadily and has become well established as a leading authority on piers. Through its efforts several piers that would otherwise have vanished remain for the enjoyment of everyone. The society's aims are to promote and sustain interest in the preservation and continued enjoyment of seaside piers.

It publishes a guide to British piers and a quarterly magazine and advises Heritage bodies, Lottery boards, local authorities and the media on pier matters. Visits and talks are organised and the society's Annual General Meeting is held at a different seaside resort each year.

In the longer term, the society wishes to establish a network of regional branches and national piers museum. To become a member visit the website ww.piers.co.uk or write to Neville C Taylor, Flat 1 128 Gloucester Terrace, London W2 6HP.